Dyer, TN Kerosene Explosion And Fire, Jan 1938

HUSBAND, WIFE, THREE CHILDREN BURNED TO DEATH AFTER KEROSENE EXPLOSION.

Trenton, Tenn., Jan. 8. (AP) -- Five members of a family died today when fire, starting from a kerosene explosion, destroyed their small farm home near Dyer, Tenn.
The victims were:
R. A. (BILL) TURNER, 45.
his wife, MRS. ETHEL TURNER, 40.
their three children, CARLOS, 7; BILLY, 9; and BETTY JO, 5.
TURNER got up between 4 and 5 a.m. to kindle a fire. He tossed kerosene into the stove and there was an explosion.
The blast ignited TURNER'S clothing and the burning kerosene spread over the floor in which MRS. TURNER and the children slept.
His clothing ablaze, TURNER jumped into a bed and smothered the flames. Then, badly burned himself, he raced nearly 300 yards to the home of a neighbor to seek aid for his family. Efforts of neighbors to rescue the family failed. TURNER died several hours later.
WALLACE REID TURNER, 14, who slept in another room, escaped.